Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread III

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Historical Banter:

https://www.606v2.com/t48240-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread
https://www.606v2.com/t51313-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ii
 
A. Edinburgh
 
1. Pre-season
 
Fri 30 Aug 2013, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 15 - 5 Newcastle Falcons
 
Fri 23 Aug 2013, 19:30
Northampton Saints 24 - 6 Edinburgh Rugby
 
2. 2013/2014 Season - Played
 
Sat 7 Sep, 19:15
Munster Rugby 34 - 23 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 13 Newport Gwent Dragons
 
Sat 21 Sep, 18:30
Ospreys 44 - 10 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 9 - 22 Scarlets
 
Sun 6 Oct, 14:05
Cardiff Blues 29 - 12 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 25 Oct, 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 20 - 13 Benetton Treviso
 
Fri 1 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 25 - 23 Zebre
 
Fri 22 Nov 19:05
Ulster Rugby 41 - 17 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 29 Nov 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 43 - 10 Connacht
 
Fri 20 Dec 19:35
Edinburgh Rugby 11 - 6 Leinster
 
Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 20 Glasgow Warriors
 
Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors P - P Edinburgh Rugby
 
Sat 15 Feb 17:00
Connacht Rugby 11 - 7 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Sat 22 Feb 14:30
Scarlets 25 - 21 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 28 Feb 19:35
Edinburgh Rugby 31 - 25 Ospreys
 
Fri 21 Mar 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 3 - 9 Ulster Rugby
 
Sat 29 Mar 19:00
Benetton Treviso 20 - 16 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Thu 3 Apr 18:30
Newport Gwent Dragons 19 - 23 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Fri 11 Apr 19:45
Edinburgh Rugby 22 - 29 Cardiff Blues
 
Sat 19 Apr 15:30
Zebre 26 - 13 Edinburgh Rugby
 
Sat 26 Apr 19:05
Glasgow Warriors 37 - 34 Edinburgh Rugby
 
3. 2013/2014 Season - Final Games
 
Sat 3 May 17:00
Edinburgh Rugby v Munster Rugby
Meggetland
BBCALBA/TG4
 
Sat 10 May 18:30
Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
Royal Dublin Society
 
B. Glasgow
 
1. Pre-season
 
Sat 31 Aug 2013, 15:00
Exeter Chiefs 26 - 29 Glasgow Warriors
 
2. 2013/2014 Season
 
Fri 6 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 22 - 15 Cardiff Blues
 
Fri 13 Sep, 19:05
Ulster Rugby 12 - 13 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 20 Sep, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 12 - 6 Leinster Rugby
 
Fri 27 Sep, 19:30
Zebre 17 - 24 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 5 Oct, 18:30
Scarlets 12 - 17 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 25 Oct, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 6 - 13 Munster Rugby
 
Sat 2 Nov, 17:00
Connacht Rugby 12 - 19 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 22 Nov, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 8 - 23 Newport Gwent Dragons
 
Fri 29 Nov, 19:05
Ospreys 16 - 28 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 20 Dec, 19:35
Glasgow Warriors P - P Benetton Treviso
 
Thu 26 Dec 15:05
Edinburgh Rugby 16 - 20 Glasgow Warriors
 
Wed 1 Jan 18:05
Glasgow Warriors P - P Edinburgh Rugby
 
Sun 9 Feb 14:00
Glasgow Warriors 8 - 6 Connacht Rugby
 
Sat 15 Feb 18:30
Cardiff Blues 20 - 27 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sun 23 Feb 14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons 24 - 23 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 1 Mar 20:30
Leinster Rugby 28 - 25 Glasgow Warriors
 
Sat 22 Mar 18:30
Glasgow Warriors 14 - 6 Scarlets
 
Fri 28 Mar 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 11 - 9 Ospreys
 
Fri 4 Apr 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 29 - 10 Benetton Treviso
 
Sat 12 Apr 18:30
Munster Rugby 5 - 22 Glasgow Warriors
 
Fri 18 Apr 19:35
Glasgow Warriors 27 - 9 Ulster Rugby
 
Sat 26 Apr 19:05
Glasgow Warriors 37 - 34 Edinburgh Rugby
 
3. 2013/2014 Season - Final Games
 
Fri 2 May 20:00
Benetton Treviso v Glasgow Warriors
Stadio Monigo
Mediast/ALBA
 
Sat 10 May 18:30
Glasgow Warriors v Zebre
Scotstoun Stadium
 
[16/17/18 May
PO Semi Final
[tbc] v [tbc]
Venue TBA]
 
[Sat 31 May
PO Final
[tbc] v [tbc]
Venue TBA]
 
***
 
Any and all patter about these teams is welcome.
 
Any jingoism, sledging or graceless kicking of anyone whilst they are up or down will see posts deleted.
 
Be gracious and be constructive.

[RDW]

It was this guy!

http://crusaders.co.nz/the-team/tyler-bleyendaal

Some one on the ER forum said he was very close to signing.

Actually, I'm fairly sure there was another one too - I'll go investigate!

[Majestic83]

It was this guy!

http://crusaders.co.nz/the-team/tyler-bleyendaal

Some one on the ER forum said he was very close to signing.

Actually, I'm fairly sure there was another one too - I'll go investigate!

Yeah that is correct he was mentioned but has signed for Munster instead. Not a massive loss to be honest, seen him play a few times for the Crusaders but he hasn't looked the best. Certainly quite far down the Saders pecking order at 10.

[funnyExiledScot]

I guess the unknown quantity to me is McLennan, and whether he will present as a quality outside centre. I appreciate that he's a utility back, but 13 is certainly where we are weakest currently.

I also don't know much about Chris Dean. He's young but appears to be highly rated. Could he perhaps have the same sort of impact at Edinburgh as Stuart Hogg did at Glasgow at a similar age? He's played a bit of sevens so I assume he's got some gas.

The other option, which I keep banging the drum for, is Fife moving to 13. Possibly an experiment for later in the season, but if Hoyland/Farndale get the chance to make a big impact, then it could be a way of getting out best players on the pitch at the same time.

Chris Dean is a good player, decent size for a centre having been a back row originally. Not sure if he is quite ready to start for Edinburgh at 13 but isn't far away. Good turn of speed and defence
is pretty solid from what i have seen.

  
What ho, do my eyes deceive me?!  Is this fES getting over-excited about a youngster still in his playing nappies?  Outrageous!!

Yes. Lions centres for New Zealand:

12.James Roberts
13.Chris Dean

Bench: Manu Tuilagi.

Currency of an independent Scotland: the British pound.

Thought you'd approve.

[RDW]

It was this guy!

http://crusaders.co.nz/the-team/tyler-bleyendaal

Some one on the ER forum said he was very close to signing.

Actually, I'm fairly sure there was another one too - I'll go investigate!

Yeah that is correct he was mentioned but has signed for Munster instead. Not a massive loss to be honest, seen him play a few times for the Crusaders but he hasn't looked the best. Certainly quite far down the Saders pecking order at 10.

There was definitely another guy though....gonna annoy me until I remember who!

[RDW]

This guy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ihaia_West

Plus he's ginger!

[Nematode]

YES!

[RDW]

God knows how but the name Ihaia just randomly popped into my head when I was looking around trying to find out who I was thinking of.

[Majestic83]

It was this guy!

http://crusaders.co.nz/the-team/tyler-bleyendaal

Some one on the ER forum said he was very close to signing.

Actually, I'm fairly sure there was another one too - I'll go investigate!

Yeah that is correct he was mentioned but has signed for Munster instead. Not a massive loss to be honest, seen him play a few times for the Crusaders but he hasn't looked the best. Certainly quite far down the Saders pecking order at 10.

There was definitely another guy though....gonna annoy me until I remember who!

I heard talk of isaiah west possibly coming across but think it was more chat of him going to Glasgow. He didn't have a super rugby contract at the beginning of the season but is at the Blues now
and has put in some good performances for them and the maori team so think he will be staying there. He is part maori and ginger so could be the guy you were thinking off?

[Nematode]

Seems like he's signed for the chiefs?. Might be worth the Scottish pouncers keeping an eye on him though. Unlikely you'd think to play 10 for NZ, at least regularly.

[Nematode]

[RDW]

Reckon Vern Cotter will have much influence on getting some kilted Kiwis to come over?

We've got a well respected Saffer at Edinburgh and a well respected Kiwi for Scotland, hopefully between them they would be able to get one or two marquee signings in the future!

[funnyExiledScot]

I assume the ginger hair means we don't have to wait 3 years??

[Nematode]

Reckon Vern Cotter will have much influence on getting some kilted Kiwis to come over?

We've got a well respected Saffer at Edinburgh and a well respected Kiwi for Scotland, hopefully between them they would be able to get one or two marquee signings in the future!

Got to count for something, having said that, Ireland has quite a few SH coaches that would probably have a useful hand in swaying him.

[BigGee]

It was Tyler Bledendyal (or something like that), who I believe has signed for someone else now. That is fine anyway, there is no way we need a project player at FH for one of our pro sides, we need FH's that we can play now!

Heathcote and Tonks are 2 decent options now, give them the game time and see how they kick on. Bezzy is an acceptable squad playing backup. He has only got a year and will get moved on if he does not prove himself or another youngster steps up. It would be good to see at least one FH in the EDP's this year. All that have played for the U20's this year looked very lightweight and in need of some serious conditioning if they are serious about playing professionally. They may have a few more years at that level though, so the opportunity is there.

[RDW]

Will Glasgow need a 3rd flyhalf, or will Horne and Hogg fill that role if needed?

Would be good if Edinburgh have a young 10 somewhere with a view to training them up this year and taking the 3rd slot next year.

[Majestic83]

Will Glasgow need a 3rd flyhalf, or will Horne and Hogg fill that role if needed?

Would be good if Edinburgh have a young 10 somewhere with a view to training them up this year and taking the 3rd slot next year.

Edinburgh or Glasgow should sign Alex Blair I think. Finally over the injuries that were caused by Edinburgh the first time he was there and is getting a good string of games under his belt and has looked pretty sharp.
Still not sure his best position is 10 although he is very good there. Think his best position could be 15 or 13. One of his best assests is creating something from nothing in broken field and attacking from deep which is what makes me think 15 would be a good shout. Plus he is rapid and got a decent boot on him.

[Nematode]

Sorry, I know this is random but it's really annoying me:

What's the film company that has, like universal, a clip before most films that goes    bah bah bah bah, bah bah bah bah, da da da da da da.da.da, da dadadadada.... da.

Pearl and dean, that's it!

Sorry...

[RDW]

Think I speak for all of us when I say

  

[Majestic83]

  

Think I speak for all of us when I say

  

    

[funnyExiledScot]

Will Glasgow need a 3rd flyhalf, or will Horne and Hogg fill that role if needed?

Would be good if Edinburgh have a young 10 somewhere with a view to training them up this year and taking the 3rd slot next year.

Edinburgh or Glasgow should sign Alex Blair I think. Finally over the injuries that were caused by Edinburgh the first time he was there and is getting a good string of games under his belt and has looked pretty sharp.
Still not sure his best position is 10 although he is very good there. Think his best position could be 15 or 13. One of his best assests is creating something from nothing in broken field and attacking from deep which is what makes me think 15 would be a good shout. Plus he is rapid and got a decent boot on him.

Now that we have signed Bezzy (also covering 10 and 15) plus have Tonks/Heathcote, he would probably be a better shout for Glasgow, as cover for Weir and Russell/Hogg and Murchie. If he could have a shot at 13 all the better.

I remember seeing a YouTube clip of him as a youngster and he looked electric, with a great step. A little brittle perhaps, but nothing you couldn't work on.

[RDW]

I see that Farndale and Dean have been recalled for the under 20s game, with Hoyland and Jamie Ritchie still involved.  Isn't the best vote of confidence that they were dropped for the most important game against Italy, but they have had plenty game time this championship.

Farndale has scored 15 tries in 24 tests for the under 20s - good strike rate, especially considering most of the big teams have given us regular humpings!

[funnyExiledScot]

From what I've seen of Farndale he's a pretty athletic sort of winger who will get over the line given a chance. Hopefully he can be understudy to Visser next season and play whenever Visser isn't fit.

Wingers are on the pitch to score tries, and Scotland have all too often picked wingers who can tackle and carry into contact ahead of wingers who can finish. In fact we've almost exclusively gone down that route in the last 15 or so years. Edinburgh should break that trend next season and put guys on the wing who can excite the crowds and beat opposition players.

When fans discuss the front row you always here views such as "the first role of a prop is to scrummage, the rest is all a bonus" and "if a hooker cannot hook and throw, then he should be dropped". But when if comes to wingers you certainly hear about strike rates less than I believe you should. The really good finishers score in any side - they find a way to get on the ball and get over the line. However in Scotland you tend to hear about a winger's defence or kicking game, and whether he show committment or passion.

If asked to think of the great wingers of my time, I would say Campese, Lomu, Williams, Robinson, Habana, Rokocoko and Caucau. Very few of those guys were decent defenders. Lomu had no positional sense and couldn't kick a rugby ball, Campese viewed tackling as strictly optional, it took Williams half a career to improve his defence and England had to work extensively on Robinson to improve his game. How many of those guys could pass a rugby ball with any sort of precision? Certainly not Lomu, Robinson or Rokocoko. All great finishers though with great strike rates, and seemed to manage to threaten in whatever side they played in - international or club - and regardless of the brand of rugby.

Other nations and teams seems to pick wingers to score tries. Hopefully we'll see Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland start to do the same.

[RDW]

From what I've seen of Farndale he's a pretty athletic sort of winger who will get over the line given a chance. Hopefully he can be understudy to Visser next season and play whenever Visser isn't fit.

Wingers are on the pitch to score tries, and Scotland have all too often picked wingers who can tackle and carry into contact ahead of wingers who can finish. In fact we've almost exclusively gone down that route in the last 15 or so years. Edinburgh should break that trend next season and put guys on the wing who can excite the crowds and beat opposition players.

When fans discuss the front row you always here views such as "the first role of a prop is to scrummage, the rest is all a bonus" and "if a hooker cannot hook and throw, then he should be dropped". But when if comes to wingers you certainly hear about strike rates less than I believe you should. The really good finishers score in any side - they find a way to get on the ball and get over the line. However in Scotland you tend to hear about a winger's defence or kicking game, and whether he show committment or passion.

If asked to think of the great wingers of my time, I would say Campese, Lomu, Williams, Robinson, Habana, Rokocoko and Caucau. Very few of those guys were decent defenders. Lomu had no positional sense and couldn't kick a rugby ball, Campese viewed tackling as strictly optional, it took Williams half a career to improve his defence and England had to work extensively on Robinson to improve his game. How many of those guys could pass a rugby ball with any sort of precision? Certainly not Lomu, Robinson or Rokocoko. All great finishers though with great strike rates, and seemed to manage to threaten in whatever side they played in - international or club - and regardless of the brand of rugby.

Other nations and teams seems to pick wingers to score tries. Hopefully we'll see Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland start to do the same.

Take it you're not a fan of Sean '88 caps and 12 tries' Lamont then?

I'm with you on this, and indeed Time Visser is a prime example of the type of winger you mention.  Scores lots of tries, but is also liable to let a few in every so often, plus doesn't bring a great deal of workrate to the rest of the team.

I also however think it is about balance - you don't really want both wingers to be in that mould, with one of the wingers having a good all-round game as well.

[funnyExiledScot]

.....and yet Visser has had plenty of critics suggesting he be dropped until he learns to tackle etc. How about we drop others until the learn to score?

I wasn't just aiming that at Lamont vs Visser. Scotland has always been slow to appreciate potential try scorers. Players like Rory Kerr and James Craig were ignored by McGeechan et al (James McLaren and Andy Henderson were deployed on the wing.....), and Thom Evans took too long to make the Scotland side. Edinburgh last season opted for Sam Hildalgo Clyne and Sam Beard as wingers before Hoyland and Farndale. We seem to be allergic to pace. I personally don't think we create enough chances to justify omitting natural finishers. If you're only creating 2-3 good opportunities a game, then you want a finisher with a strong track record of scoring tries receiving the last pass.

[BigGee]

Probably worth pointing out that Farndale score most of his tries in the JWC two years ago, when he looked sensational and was the top try scorer in the competition. He has not looked like the same player since he broke his leg the following autumn. It was a bit of a worry that SL did not even put him on the bench for the crunch game against Italy in this years competition. With his expereince and professional conditioning you would have though he was a racing certainly to play.

Jury is still very much out on whehter he can regain the potential that he showed before that nasty injury. If he does then he could go on to be a very good player.

[George Carlin]

.....and yet Visser has had plenty of critics suggesting he be dropped until he learns to tackle etc. How about we drop others until the learn to score?

I wasn't just aiming that at Lamont vs Visser. Scotland has always been slow to appreciate potential try scorers. Players like Rory Kerr and James Craig were ignored by McGeechan et al (James McLaren and Andy Henderson were deployed on the wing.....), and Thom Evans took too long to make the Scotland side. Edinburgh last season opted for Sam Hildalgo Clyne and Sam Beard as wingers before Hoyland and Farndale. We seem to be allergic to pace. I personally don't think we create enough chances to justify omitting natural finishers. If you're only creating 2-3 good opportunities a game, then you want a finisher with a strong track record of scoring tries receiving the last pass.

+1,000,000
 
Ever since Iwan Tukalo and Kenny Logan trundled slowly onto a Murrayfield pitch to get skinned on the outside by loose forwards twice their age, I have despaired about Scotland ever having a genuinely exciting blaster on the wing who could create something out of nothing and actually score. Thom Evans looked like the real deal and then tragically was removed from contention. In Visser, we have an out-and-out finisher with the ball in hand, Seymour who has great vision and runs good lines, and Maitland who is the quintessential link man, almost to his detriment at times.  
 
I couldn't give three kind of sh!te about a winger's defensive frailties at present. You can work on that. I'd rather we lost by scoring 4 tries to 5 any day of the week. We just need to sort the centres out (well, we know whom they should be, really), give Matt Taylor time with everyone on defense and get Cotter to confirm a game plan that actually works.
 
The autumn internationals could well be a time when I actually enjoy watching Scotland again.

[RDW]

 
The autumn internationals could well be a time when I actually enjoy watching Scotland again.

Can't believe you actually just said that.   

The last time I last enjoyed watching Scotland was right up to just before Weir threw that interception against France - was an exciting performance up to then.

But generally Scotland fans are well in credit in terms of how much money they have paid to watch Scotland play and how much entertainment they have got back!

[Nematode]

In fairness to our back three so far on this tour, they need 1. Good go-forward ball from the pack to get i) mismatches ii) break up defences 2. Good distribution/moves from the centres to run lines off, if they can live up to their potential. They really haven't had either so I think it's hard to criticise the likes of Visser. He's been sharp and has really tried to take/make the most of scraps. Also, they held up fairly well vs Canada to only let one try in and surely it has to be questioned of the forwards, not just Visser, how Canada were allowed to get such good ball from rucks.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm not criticising Visser - look at his strike rate for Scotland and Edinburgh. It's ridiculously good considering those sides are ridiculously bad.

I agree with you about needing go forward quality ball and all that, but the really good wingers find a way to score regardless. They sniff out the half chance and finish. At times in an Edinburgh jersey Visser will have barely seen the ball and still scored. DTH and Thom Evans before him managed to do the same at Glasgow.

In Visser, Seymour and Maitland we have three wingers I'm fairly happy with, although Maitland needs to score more. As GC points out, he can be too selfless at times and just needs to pin his ears back more and trust his pace. He's too used to playing in New Zealand where other players were equally quick!

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Euan Murray has signed a one year deal with Glasgow. Excellent news and a good addition, even taking into consideration his Sunday absences.

[RDW]

Brilliant news - you don't get many Pro 12 games on a Sunday so hopefully he'll be available most of the time. Real positive influence on the squad too.

Didn't realise he was only 33 - he's in his propping prime!

[Dorothy_Mantooth]

Brilliant news - you don't get many Pro 12 games on a Sunday so hopefully he'll be available most of the time.  Real positive influence on the squad too.

Didn't realise he was only 33 - he's in his propping prime!

We will probably have 2 or 3 Euro games on a Sunday, which he will miss. But as you say he will be available for most of the league games and with the way Toonie rotates his squad, he probably wont have played in all the Euro games anyway.

We needed a TH and this stage, lets be honest how many proven THs are available at the type of budget the SRU are working with.

Hopefully it will help Scotland as well, as Murray can settle down and get a run of games.

[funnyExiledScot]

This is a fantastic signing and sets Murray up nicely for the World Cup. Great acquisition for Glasgow.

I fully expect Edinburgh to react by signing Bruce Douglas coupled with Mattie Stewart as scrummaging coach.

[George Carlin]

Sensible signing. Part of me wishes it was still Jazzy Geoff Cross, though.

[Nematode]

Brilliant signing. Will be a great influence on the younger players and his personality, I'm sure, will fit GT's side.

Does this make him available for SA?

[RDW]

Does this make him available for SA?

You may be on to something....but he did make himself unavailable for selection for family reasons....

[BigGee]

a very good signing and one which a lot of us suspected might happen, it just makes a lot of sense all round. There are a lot more sunday games in both england and france and that was always going to be difficult for him.

I wonder if he might be making a short trip out to South Africa next week as well?

[Nematode]

"I am passionate about playing again for Glasgow though you only need to look at some of the talent that is at the club to understand that a lot of hard work will be necessary to take the field at Scotstoun"

Really good attitude as well

[funnyExiledScot]

Good attitude and he's absolutely right. Jon Welsh didn't do much wrong towards the end of the season, and if Mike Cusack is back then Glasgow will have rich pickings at tighthead.

[RDW]

To be fair, no one is really going to say 'I expect to waltz into this team and will expect a starting place every week' are they??   

[Nematode]

To be fair, no one is really going to say 'I expect to waltz into this team and will expect a starting place every week' are they??   

If it was Edinburgh and you were a South African...

[funnyExiledScot]

To be fair, no one is really going to say 'I expect to waltz into this team and will expect a starting place every week' are they??   

It's possible Stuart Hogg said exactly that to Toonie last season......

[BigGee]

To be fair, no one is really going to say 'I expect to waltz into this team and will expect a starting place every week' are they??   

It's possible Stuart Hogg said exactly that to Toonie last season......

Exactly, they may not say it, but they may let the coaches know that they expect it! Fair play to Toonie for not putting up with it. Glasgow most certainly is not a team for prima donnas!

[funnyExiledScot]

To be fair, no one is really going to say 'I expect to waltz into this team and will expect a starting place every week' are they??   

It's possible Stuart Hogg said exactly that to Toonie last season......

Exactly, they may not say it, but they may let the coaches know that they expect it! Fair play to Toonie for not putting up with it. Glasgow most certainly is not a team for prima donnas!

Perhaps not the team, but have you met the fans.....

  

[R!skysports]

To be fair, no one is really going to say 'I expect to waltz into this team and will expect a starting place every week' are they??   

It's possible Stuart Hogg said exactly that to Toonie last season......

Exactly, they may not say it, but they may let the coaches know that they expect it! Fair play to Toonie for not putting up with it. Glasgow most certainly is not a team for prima donnas!

Perhaps not the team, but have you met the fans.....

  

Question is have you, or are you just relying on second hand gossip from your butler?   

[Nematode]

 

[IanBru]

To be fair, no one is really going to say 'I expect to waltz into this team and will expect a starting place every week' are they??   

Wait... so you're saying I shouldn't have said that at my interview for a training contract last week?

[funnyExiledScot]

In most law firms that sort of attitude works pretty well I think you'll find!

[RDW]

Hard as nails pensioner Aleki Lutui has left Edinburgh a year early and is joining Gloucester

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27930419

Probably a good move for both parties, we've got hunners of hookers and he wouldn't get much gametime. He did a decent enough job for Edinburgh when he played early in the season, but rarely featured after Christmas.

So that only leaves us with

Ford
Hilterbrand
McInally
Cochrane
Turner

I'd like to see what McInally can do this year and hopefully he can claim the 2nd hooker slot.  Cochrane, Hilterbrand (who is also SQ) and Turner fighting it out for places when Ford is away.

5 SQ hookers on the books - not bad!

I bet we sign another fecker though...

[reallybored]

Great bit of business from Glasgow, delighted the Rev is back under SRU management & he definitely adds strength to Glasgow's squad.

Never understood the criticism Visser receives from Scottish fans, granted he's not a particularly committed defender but he's a finishing machine.  Don't think he's quite back to full sharpness but still showed his nose for a try in the US game.  His record for both Scotland (7/14) and Edinburgh (60/103) is very impressive, as good as anyones in NH.       

Our backs are starting to score tries again, the most concerning figure would be Maitland's record so far;

Scott (3/21)
Dunbar (3/8)
Maitland (1/11)
Visser (7/14)
Seymour (3/8)
Hogg (5/22)

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